Warning: Somewhat intense chapter
Going back to school on Wednesday was, as Shikamaru would call it, "a drag". I usually didn't dread going to school, especially since I really like the high school I transferred to, but of course with people going up to me and asking a million questions about my new housemate, I couldn't help but feel miserable. This is just as bad as last year when they saw my parents on the news.
"Leave Naruto alone will ya? He can't get anywhere if you all keep crowding around him, now scram!"
Thank God for people like Kiba.
"Thanks Kiba", I said with a smile.
"Not a problem"
"God, I feel bad for you. It's like last year but just as terrible."
"I know Shikamaru", I groaned.
"Such a drag"
"Don't worry, I'll protect you!", Kiba said with a reassuring pat on my back.
Yeah, but when I go back home can you protect me from all the photographers and news reporters that will be waiting on my street?
During lunch time I decided to go to the library. Going to the cafeteria would cause too much commotion. Too many people would go up to me asking me ridiculous questions that only my parents themselves could answer.
The saddest part about this situation is that it didn't take me long to finish my homework, so when I finished I had nothing to do. There was no point in picking up a book. I've always hated reading and could never see the appeal to it. It takes too much concentration, and I could never get past a hundred pages.
Out of boredom, I walked around the library nervously. Luckily, there were only a few people around that I knew, which was pretty uncommon since I knew just about everyone. I guess you could say I'm popular around here but it never feels that way. I feel like a regular person.
Curiously, I pick up a book with an interesting title and read the back of it as I continue to wander. While not paying attention to where I was going, my clumsy ass accidentally bumped into someone. He is around the same height as me and his red hair stood out immediately. How could I not see someone with hair like that.
"Sorry", I say nervously.
He looks at me and then at the book in my hand.
"At least you have good taste in literature"
The words that came out of his mouth made me uncomfortable since one, I hate reading, and two, if I did read my taste in literature would be poor.
"Oh, thanks. I love reading", I lied.
I didn't lie so I wouldn't feel stupid. If it were anyone else I would have told them that I was in here hiding from someone and was just reading the backs of random books to pass the time. But I couldn't lie to this guy, he was kinda cute and mysterious. In a way he reminded me of Sasuke, but only personality wise.
"So do I", he said as he continued to search for the book he was longing to find.
"I don't mean this in a bad way, but I hear a lot about you. You're Naruto right?"
"Yeah", I grumbled.
"It's my first month here and it seems like all everyone talks about is you, but it seems like you're pretty aware of this"
"Mhm", I say showing disinterest in the topic.
"Sorry, I must be bothering you. I'm probably coming off as rude"
"No, it's okay. It's just you know my name, but I don't know yours"
"Gaara", he said as he picked up the book.
"Nice to meet you"
"Nice to meet you too", he said as he skimmed through the pages.
"Sooo are you a junior or a senior?"
"Junior"
"Must be weird leaving your old school and coming here. Do you like it here so far?"
"Much better than the place I was before"
"Tell me about it", I said as I began to follow him to check out my book. Of course, I only did this because he was checking out his and I didn't want to put away the book that he implied that I should read.
"It was short lived, but it was nice talking to you. I hope to see you around", he said before he left.
"You too"
After all of that was over, I wanted him to come back so I could ask him a million questions and get to know him better than he "knows" me. And since what he hears about me are most likely false rumors, I doubt what he "knows" about me is true.
I was less than excited when I got home, and it wasn't just because of the mob of people that were on my street, it was because of my parents. The only reason why they were home so early was to check up on Sasuke, and like last year, I assume they will be checking up on their "perfect" creation a lot.
So woohoo I finally got what I wanted right? My parents are home, so I should be happy? No, unfortunately I can't be all smiles about them being home early if all they're doing is talking to Sasuke instead of me. So it's pretty much like I don't exist, and I'm beginning to wonder why my parents even had me if they can't even say "hi" to me when I come home from school.
"Hi son", how was your day.
"Good, how was yours?"
That's all it takes, and I would have been satisfied with that if that's all they said to me. Although it hurts to know that my parents don't want to pay attention to me, I have friends who care about me. Friends like Kiba, who give more attention to me than my parents ever will.
I walk up to my room and drop my bag on the floor, but then I remembered that it's not only my room anymore. That thought alone was enough to make me want to punch the mirror in front of me.
As I look at my reflection, I begin to notice something unusual on my face. A pimple. As if this day couldn't be getting any worse. Angrily, I walk out of my room to go get a cup noodle, and I pass the family room where my "brother" and my parents are casually sitting on the sofa talking. What pissed me off the most is that they were all so into their conversation that they didn't see me walk by them. They didn't even acknowledge me, but I let it roll off my shoulders like I did last year when they treated Sai like a king. The funny thing is that now Sai is the most ignored person in this house. At least my parents will eventually say at least two or three words to me today, and as much as I can't stand Sai most of the time, I'm beginning to feel bad for him. I don't think my parents have said much of anything to him since they found out he wasn't as perfect as they thought he'd be.
Maybe I should...say hello to him. He might molest me, but I should at least say hi to him. I've been telling him to go away a lot more than usual, and he's not all that terrible. I feel bad for all the times I kick him out of my room and tell him to leave me alone...but god he's just so creepy and perverted and doesn't know how to act around people! But, he's still...my brother. My very fucked up brother...
I open the cabinets to get my cup noodles and put it in the microwave. I should have a microwave in my room at this point, all I eat are ramen noodles.
When the my meal is finally warmed up, I pick up the bowl and head back to my room, but to my surprise, (okay so maybe I was thinking it was going to happen eventually), my mother greets me.
"Hey I, didn't even see you walk through the door", she laughs.
And you didn't see me walk into the kitchen either. Doesn't that make your joke twice as funny?
"Haven't been here for long. Just wanted something to eat"
"All he eats are ramen noodles", my dad tells Sasuke.
"Are they good for you?"
"No, not at all, but he's hopelessly addicted", he replies.
I roll my eyes as I go back up to my room. No point in staying in here.
"Going to get your work done?", my mom asks.
"Yeah, but I'm gonna go talk to Sai a bit first"
My parents give each other an uncertain look and Sasuke's gaze is no longer on me, but at something else in the room. Okay, something's up.
"What's wrong? Is Sai okay?"
"Well, no", she replies with a frown.
"Is he injured?"
"Um, he's...in the hospital", she says in a very suspicious tone.
"Why?"
"He's sick", my father says worriedly.
"Very sick", my mother adds.
I look at Sasuke, who is still looking away from me. So I can already tell my parents are lying and that he knows the truth. How do I get it out of him?
"Do you know how this happened?"
They both looked over at each other, and that's when I knew their lie was very horribly planned. Rule one to lying is that it always has to be planned, it's never just off the top of your head, especially when lying in groups or with one other person.
"Oh wait, I forgot you wouldn't know how this happened since it's not like you ever check on him or anything", I snap.
The room is still silent, and I could see the guilt in both of their faces.
"But what sickens me the most is that both of you aren't telling me the whole truth. Something's wrong with Sai and I want to know what it is"
"We're telling you he's sick", my mother snaps at me.
"Oh yeah? With what?"
"Don't use that tone with your mother", my dad tries to say calmly.
"I want to know! What is his illness? When will he be back home?"
"We don't know what is wrong with him, the doctors haven't figured it out yet, and we don't know when he'll be back home", my dad says.
"Then can I visit him tomorrow?"
"You won't be able to visit him for a while"
"Why? I'm his brother?", I ask in frustration.
"Not exactly. He's not an adopted family member or your biological brother. You're not his guardian either, so you won't be able to see him anytime soon"
The look I'm giving my father is a look that will probably get me grounded, but at this point I don't care.
"So what you're telling me is that you guys, his 'guardians', who never keep an eye on him or hug him or tell him how much he means to you, get to see my brother"
The upset look on their faces only worsens when I said that, but the truth needed to be told. They should feel bad.
"But I, the one who sort of kept an eye on him despite all the creepy sexual advances he makes towards me that I doubt either of you know about, do not get to see him"
"Why didn't you tell us he was-"
"Nope. I'm not done yet. I'm going to say this because you need to know. I care about Sai more than both of you ever did, and it's only until he gets hurt that you begin to care. Does this sound kind of familiar? I know it does", I say, viciously cutting my mother off.
"Don't talk to your mother like that"
I look at Sasuke, who's defending words for my parents only make me even more angry.
"You shut the hell up! You've only been here for what, a little over 24 hours?! You don't know half the shit that I've gone through alone because my parents were never there, and still rarely are! What do you know about my parents? They may like you now, but as soon as they see something terribly wrong with you, you'll just be another dysfunctional creation, like Sai! You'll end up being ignored just like him!"
He stands up and walks over to me, and I could tell I've made him angry.
"Don't talk to my parents like that"
"Your parents", I growl.
"Yes. You are their son, but you are also my brother, making them my parents too"
"You are in no way related to anyone in my family"
"I don't have to be, but your parents are working on legally making me a family member"
"But they didn't do that with Sai! Why? Because Sai had some unsolvable problems! And if they see anything wrong with you, they won't let you be a part of this family!"
"That's enough", my father says growing impatient.
"No! I'm sick of all of you!"
"Stop yelling", Sasuke says growing even more impatient than my father.
"No! I hate them!"
It was too late for me to take those words back, and I feel a very rough hand against my cheek leaving a bitter and painful sting. I look up at the bastard that hit me and throw my instant ramen in his face before running up to my room in tears, almost falling up the steps on my way there.
How dare that bastard who thinks he belongs here hit me! I hate being at home! I hate it!
Author's note: I had fun writing the arguing scene, I don't know why. I know you're probably thinking how this will be resolved, but it's all plotted out so don't worry SasuNaru will happen, it's just gonna take some time.